Odessa Arts will be holding the first quarterly meeting of 2019 this evening, February 18, 2019 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at My Community Credit Union on 42nd and Tanglewood.
“Getting to hand out grant money is always exciting,’ said Executive Director Randy Ham, “Making sure our member organizations have the financial support they need to create and sustain programming for our community and for our cultural tourists has always been the primary focus of the organization. This year we will distribute almost $200,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax funds to help organizations like the Ellen Noel Art Museum attract the best in cultural programming.”
In addition to distributing the first quarter cultural tourism grant payments, Odessa Arts will be announcing the 2019 priorities for the cultural community.
Volunteer of the Year – The second annual Black & White Ball is scheduled for April 13th at 7:00pm at the MCM Elegante. Odessa Arts is seeking nominations for the Mark Tenniswood Volunteer of the Year Awards. Nominations can be submitted here.
Arts & Economic Impact study – Odessa Arts will be partnering with Americans for the Arts for a year long survey of cultural organizations and their patrons. The Arts & Economic Impact study will query every arts organization in Ector county and ether patrons to compose a model of the economic impact its & culture have on the community. From March 1, 2019 to March 1, 2020, patrons will be asked to fill out and return survey forms which will be used to create the model. This information will be invaluable as the Permian Basin continues to address Quality of Life issues. The target date for release of the survey is June 2020.
Artist, Inc. – A program developed by the Mid America Arts Alliance, Artist, Inc. helps artists in any stage of their career with the business side of the Arts. Odessa Arts is holding an Artist, Inc. Express workshop on March 29 & 30 at ORMC. Workshop is $25 and includes workshop materials and food. Registration is limited to 25 applicants. The registrations can be found here.
Cloth World on track to begin refurbishment – The Cloth World project got another boost from the FMH Foundation with a $50,000 Challenge Grant award. By raising a match of $50,000, Odessa Arts will be able to begin work on the structure in March 2019
April is Arts Appreciation Month – Mark you calendars as Odessa Arts designates April as Arts Appreciation Month. The Arts will take center stage in our community as we thank city leaders for the investment Odessa has placed in the Arts.

About Odessa Arts
Odessa Arts, a 501(c)(3) organization, exists to support and promote the Arts in Odessa and Ector
County through Cultural Tourism, Arts Education and Arts Advocacy. Learn more at odessaarts.org.

On the web:
odessaarts.org
facebook.com/odessaarts
Twitter @odessaarts
For more information call 432-337-1492